Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-12-22

that might follow in It's train, he immediate
ly sseeled himself against the weakness Of
the moment, and was once more the man OF
uns~erving purpose and iron win.
This man, Dick, must be won again.
am fast losing my hold upon him and must
regain it and make it stronger. No half
hearted work will suffice at this late date"
was his silent seh-reascRin9.
Beginning in that plausible, seductive and
irreSistibly attractive manner OF his, he
gradually overcame Dicks conscientious
scruples; dulled his common-sense, appealed
to his adventurous spirit, and thus began to
arouse his tagging interest in the matter.
Oxford, poor fellow although realizing
that his friend was about TO embark upon
very crazy and cOWardly enterprise, was
yet unable to resist the extraordinary influ-
enCS which this strange man welded over
him. and, step by step, yielded TO the mighty
will uf the latter; until, once more. Fairfax
had :, most Jealous advocate in Richard.
About noon, with a lazy cape, Fairfax re-
marked:
:. Let US go out and watch for those
heavy villains They must be near at
hand"
There soon appeared three strange men,
carelessly sauntering down the road. So
completely had they disguised them
selves that the two watchers were uncer-
tain as to their identity. However,, as they
approached nearer, it was not difficult to
recognize the tones OF each voice.
The arch-conspirator took the two seamen
aside and enlightened them as to the part
they Were to play. They appeared to be
wide-awake characters, capable of a hazard
Gus feat of any kind. They readily entered
into the spirit of the occasion and consid-
cred the affair as a jolly kind of lark
Meanwhile Richard-who had been thor
oughly instructed-in mysterious and melO-
dramatic tones, was initiating his valet into
the nature of the duties which were to fall
upon him.
After some time spent in writing Fairfax
examined the vehicle and found it in excel
lent condition. The harness also seemed
strong. One trace was little worn, and,
with an extra tug, might give way. A
piece of stout cord quickly remedied this
defect. The horse appeared to have entirely
recovered from his long journey of the
night before.
One thing the anxious observer did not
like. A heavy black bank of clouds was
rising in the Southwest low, dilatory
mass of vapor that clearly betokened an APP
preaching storm. Still, he thought it would
scai cely interfere with the fulfllment OF his
EXPECTATIONS and plans.
He went 10 the roadside to watch. Be
tween three and four, he saw, away in the
distance, up the road, a carriage approach
ing. 1t contained Dimitri and Catherine, en-
route, no doubt, TO make preparations for Ma
tale, who then could not be far behind them.
His heart began to quicken its beats
when he distinguished a horse gallop-
ing down the highway. Although strain
ing his eyes he could see but one,
and on that steed rode the Princess.
He held his breath as she dashed by like
the wind. both steed and rider carrying
themselves superbly.
Again he felt the same inexplicable mis-
givings, the same mysteriously prophetic
warning, and again he flung aside the
emotion. The deed was begun and, were
the heavens to fall, must now be done!
But how is it that he beheld but one horse
womanl Where was Lydia! Alas! miles
away on a wild-g goose errand.
Ere leaving Paris, Fairfax had left a
sealed and unaddreSsed envelope in the
hands of one of the Herald clerks, with in
structions TO mail it to a given address in
America. if no message to the contrary was
received, within five days.
IF, however. you get telegram bearing
the word Send ask message-boy to carry
it to the nearest Geographic station
His instructions were followed to the
very letter On receipt of the message that
Roger had taken to the Dol telegraph station
the previous evening, Fairfax envelope was
forwarded to its intended destination. The
telegrapher who opened il found written
III woman's hand, apparently, telegram
to this effect:
'sLady Lydia, Chateau Dor, village of Y,
Cote-du-Nord. Meet me ct Dol, four o'clock.
- BLANCHE HAYWOOD
This explains Lydia's absence. For, on
receiving the telegram, she dashed off d
nasty note of regret to Natalie. ordered her
oarouche AID fastened to meet her aunt at
Dol.
Fortune had so favored Fairfax that he
actually began TO entertain feeling of dis
trust toward the good dame. 1t made him
still more careful, and he resolved TO spare
no pains in taking every precaution possible
to ensure success.
The Princess Natalie was putting the
finishing touches upon her picture. On the
morrow she expected to leave her beloved
village and summer home for Lake Mag
giore where her chief companion, a
brother, scarcely more than one year older
than herself. had been accustomed TO spend
with her his summers.
A little more than two years previous to
the time when this narrative opens, on the
morning of her birthday, he had. among
other gifts presented his sister with love
~ palette-znife just as ne was departing On
a short hunting expedition into the valley.
But before going he took his seat at the
piano and began playing the ''Addio." This
song was great favorite with both Natalie
and himself)
Aroused by the many evidences of her
brothers lave and the fact that it was her
birthday-she scarcely knew by what, it
seemed almost prcscience-she went over
to his side and sang as she rarely had sung
before. Otto was so much moved when the
song was ended that he pct his arms about
her. and kissed her ''Good-bye.' As the
words of the song have it, it proved Good
bye for ever.''
Two hours later, in he2dlong chase after
stag, he galloped his horse down a ravine.
The exhausted beast lost his footing and
stumbled, throwing its master headlOng
against a rock. The unfortunate youth
lived but few moments.